Negativity affects us all, in a negative way. It’s difficult watch the TV, or surf the net without being bombarded by bad news. News about people’s personal misfortunes, our weight, disease, wars. That deluge of bad news, if we don’t consciously turn it off and find something to be happy about, will wear us down, literally.

If we let the negativity live within us, it will show in our posture and I swear it even eminates from our pores. Presidents age while they are in office. If you look at photos of them over the years, the day of their inauguration they look strong and vigorous, their hair is full and the color vibrant. Any of those who get a second term are without exception, are wearing the job on their faces. The lines and creases are deep, their hair, noticeably whiter and thinner. Stress and dealing with negativity can do that to a person.

So give yourself a positive attitude for just one day and see how it changes the way you feel and affects your loved one. Look into the mirror and smile, then think of something that will keep that smile on your face for the rest of the day.

In my practice as a criminal attorney, I know there are kids who get caught up in things who might not otherwise have done so had they had stable home lives. It is not for me to judge what that is, I am an attorney, not a counselor nor a mental health care professional, but my intuition tells me this is so. The Florida Bar Organization just featured a heartwarming post about a young woman who had everything going for her, until her home life fell apart. What a Florida Bar Foundation Grant did to help her is a story you should read:

“By Nancy KinnallySpecial to the News

Freshman class president at Miami’s Design & Architecture High School, one of the nation’s best magnet schools, Stephanie Davis had ambitions of attending a top art school and a father intent on helping her achieve her dream.

But as she was getting ready to start her junior year, Davis was plunged instead into a nightmare when her father, a veteran who had served in Iraq, committed suicide.

“Suicide of a parent is the worst thing ever, and you just don’t know what to do,” said Davis, who asked that her real name not be used,

Estranged from her mother, Davis became a ward of the state and was referred to the Children & Youth Law Clinic at the University Of Miami School Of Law. The clinic, supported since 2004 by a Children’s Legal Services grant from The Florida Bar Foundation, aids current and former foster youths in matters of dependency, health care, mental health, disability, independent living, education, immigration, and other civil areas, ensuring that they have a voice in court proceedings.

The Children & Youth Law Clinic received a special $100,000 grant in 2013-14 from The Florida Bar Foundation made with funds provided by the Miami Beach-based Bachelors Foundation. The grant, which honors Miami Law alumnus and past Florida Bar Foundation President Burton Young, is enabling the clinic to continue to help clients such as Davis, just as the Bar Foundation’s revenue from Florida’s Interest on Trust Accounts Program has slowed to a trickle.

Marielle Moore was one of two law students assigned to Davis’ case. At that time Davis, 17, was living with a relative. When neither that arrangement nor her initial foster placement worked out — a shooting near her first foster home convinced her it was time to leave — Moore helped ensure her placement with a foster family that one of the clinic faculty knew from prior cases.

“The foster placement was such a good fit, because so many people had input and so many people were pushing for her to be in a good environment for her to flourish academically,” Moore said.

Davis commuted from her foster home more than an hour each way by bus and rail so that she could continue attending DASH, which paid off when she was accepted at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

But getting in was just the first step. Davis earned a host of scholarships and saved money to pay for school by working in an upscale furniture store, but she still needed the Road to Independence benefits that help former foster youth pay for living expenses and college tuition.

Even after she helped Davis secure the benefits, Moore faced a number of hurdles. Enrolling in an out-of-state private art school would require paying a seat deposit, buying a plane ticket and other expenses not typical for beneficiaries of the program.

“There is no box on the form for ‘fancy art school in New York seat deposit,’ ” Moore said. “That took a lot of explaining.”

Working with the Guardian ad Litem Program and the Department of Children and Families, Moore advocated successfully for Davis’ academic needs.”

This is just one example of what they do to help local youth advance in life. There are more programs available, and there are other organizations who help as well. Unfortunately not all of these kids know where to look to get the help they need, and without an advocate leading the way, it can be hard. But it’s worth the struggle.

As a defense attorney with a strong history, I am often asked to speak about the law and address various defense and sentencing issues related to criminal cases. In this particular instance I was asked to speak about how we tend to sensationalize people who may be mentally ill , giving the next person a clear path to fame when they copy cat, or one up the last major killing spree.

What should we do instead ? Listen to what I, Brook Butler had to say !

It’s in the news and people are talking about it. Whether you agree with the fact that gay people are born that way or not, common decency should dictate that one is not allowed to discriminate against another human being simply because they are gay. No one should have the right to deny them privileges accorded others because of their sexual preferences. We find however, there are still people who choose to make their own rules.

The principal of a high school in Arkansas has forbidden the publication of Taylor Ellis bio in the high school year book, even though Ellis has the support of his fellow classmates and his community. Chad Griffith, HRC president states: ““It’s simply unacceptable that, rather than respecting Taylor’s peers’ choice to recognize and celebrate this young man in the school yearbook, these school officials have sent a clear message that the courage and honesty Taylor has demonstrated are not valued at Sheridan High School. “Even though this episode is already attracting extensive local and national media attention, we feel there is still time for the school and the state to reverse course and send a powerful message of inclusion. I have already urged his school, his school district, the Arkansas Department of Education and the Governor of Arkansas to end this censorship.

Sadly, they have yet to take action. On behalf of Taylor and his family, I urge you to speak out against this discrimination and urge your counterparts in Arkansas to allow Taylor’s courageous story to be a part of his yearbook.” Too many people use the differences of people’s philosophy, religion, color or political affiliations to divide society and perpetuate hate, and it’s time it stops. As an Attorney, my own beliefs are not more important than upholding the law, and allowing people their differences. To read the rest of this article go to: http://www.hrc.org/press-releases/entry/hrc-asks-sec.-of-education-arne-duncan-to-help-resolve-anti-gay-discriminat

We all grew up hearing the phrase – “Everyone deserves a second chance.” Teachings of forgiveness and turn the other cheek are instilled from a young age to be carried into adulthood so that we treat others with the same respect we would want.

Efforts of blending these social philosophies into our criminal justice system have led to the creation of diversion programs. Programs designed to assist those who have found themselves straying from life’s path and give them the second chance they deserve. When someone makes a bad decision it may affect them by pulling them into the criminal justice system, but that does not necessarily make an individual a bad person worthy of the label as a “criminal”.

I have had the opportunity to work with and assist my clients through these programs that give a second chance to people that not only need but deserve it. I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you all to these beneficial programs and give my appreciation to those that created them and continue to make them possible.

Mental Health Court (MHC) was established in the 19th Judicial Circuit by administrative order of Chief Judge in 2006, operating in St. Lucie and Martin County (as well as many other throughout the state). MHC is a diversionary program for persons diagnosed with a severe mental illness or developmental disability. The programs goal is not only to promote involvement in treatment and awareness but to reduce recidivism for clients with mental health disorders.

Drug Court is available for 1st time offenders and a tem monitors clients as they progress through an educational based program with requirements including 15 hours drug/alcohol education, attendance of AA/NA meetings, random drug screening and attendance at Drug Court. Sentencing is withheld until completion of the 52 week program and if successful results in charges being dropped.

Veterans Court’s recent inception in the 19th circuit is a similar program giving back to those who have given so much for our country.

Thank you to the team of people that make second chances possible, including all the Judges, Attorney, Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program, jail personnel, counselors and all the people that cared enough to not only be brave during the creation of these programs but have continued to assist and support them.

This article is taken from the January issue of Her Life Magazine. Brook writes a column monthly be sure to read future editions.